Summary: The North Wilkesboro Speedway has unearthed what seems to be a clandestine moonshine cave beneath its grandstands, a discovery that resonates with the area's Prohibition-era bootlegging history and the origins of NASCAR racing.

In 1920, with the enactment of the Volstead Act, obtaining alcohol became illegal, sparking the era of bootlegging where moonshine was clandestinely produced, often under the cover of night. Fast forward to 2024, and the North Wilkesboro Speedway has stumbled upon what appears to be a hidden moonshine cave beneath its grandstands. This discovery aligns with longstanding local tales of a concealed distillery within the speedway's bounds, revealed during routine maintenance of the grandstands.

Steve Swift, a senior executive at Speedway Motorsports, shared that while a distilling apparatus hasn't been unearthed yet, the found cave and its features suggest it could have served as an ideal spot for both producing and concealing illegal liquor. The exact entry and exit means remain a mystery, fueling excitement about potential future discoveries.

The speedway, established in 1947 and becoming a foundational NASCAR track by 1949, sits in a region steeped in moonshining history, persisting even after Prohibition ended in 1933 due to ongoing restrictions and taxes on legal alcohol. This history is intertwined with racing, as bootleggers honed their driving and mechanical skills to evade the law, talents that translated well to the racetrack. Junior Johnson, a famed NASCAR driver and notorious bootlegger from the area, exemplifies this crossover.

While there's no direct evidence connecting the cave to Johnson, the proximity of the speedway to historical bootlegging activity lends plausibility to the notion that the cave could have hosted illicit distillation operations. Despite the fascinating discovery, the speedway must prioritize preparing for the upcoming NASCAR All-Star Race Week, leaving the full exploration of the cave's secrets for another day.